Holiday Season Newsletter 2024

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? IN HAPPY ENDINGS? IN JOYOUS REUNIONS? IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

On behalf of the many abandoned, neglected, mistreated, injured or otherwise unwanted cats and kittens who have been placed by Feline Friends Hallettsville into loving homes this past year, we wish to express a very sincere and heartfelt “Thank you!” to all who have played a part in making these miracles a reality.

A Very Special Holiday Thank You to...

-the veterinarians who have performed services at reduced rates and dealt with emergencies as well as routine matters;-our amazing volunteers and member who work so willingly on behalf of the cats, providing compassionate care, transporting cats and kittens to and from vet appointments, answering and returning phone calls and messages, raising public awareness concerning the importance of spaying/neutering and the plight of homeless cats, and facilitating perfect matches between cats/kittens and applicants; -our fabulous foster homes who have given selflessly of their time and energy, their living space, their own resources and sometimes their sleepless nights caring for orphaned, ill, or ninth life kitties;

-all who have so generously supported our mission and contributed financially, donated cat/kitten foods, cat litter, and other supplies to help defray everyday expenses;-all the individuals and families who have adopted a cat/kitten this year and in

the past;-and all pet owners who spay and neuter their pets, helping to end the overpopulation of unwanted animals, and helping to ensure that one day every companion animal born will have a place to call home.

Continued Cat Rescue Efforts Around Hallettsville

Like many rural communities, Hallettsville has faced challenges with the overpopulation of stray cats. These cats, often left to fend for themselves, suffer from malnutrition, disease, and harsh living conditions. Without intervention, their numbers can quickly spiral out of control, leading to even more suffering for the cats and difficulties for residents as they encounter these cats in need of help.

The population surge is often attributed to unspayed or unneutered cats being abandoned or allowed to roam freely. Litters of kittens born in alleyways, barns, carports, storm drains, and abandoned buildings. These feral colonies can grow swiftly, making rescue efforts not only urgent but also ongoing.

In response to the growing number of cats in distress, residents like the members, supporters, and volunteers of Feline Friends Hallettsville have taken it upon themselves to address the issue. FFH has formed a network with other rescue organizations to coordinate efforts to trap, neuter, and release (TNR) feral cats, as well as rehome those that are socialized and adoptable.

One of the most effective tools in the fight against overpopulation has been our TNR program. Volunteers humanely trap feral cats, take them to local veterinarians for spaying or neutering, then return them to their original location; unless that can be socialized and adopted or need to be relocated. This helps to control the population without harming the animals or disrupting the local ecosystem.

In Hallettsville, TNR efforts have efforts have gained momentum with the support of local vet clinics and residents/businesses who allow our volunteers to access feral colonies on their properties. While the program doesn’t immediately reduce the number of cats in the community, it curbs the future growth and ensures healthier, more manageable populations.

Feline Friends Hallettsville also works hard to educate citizens of Lavaca County of the important of proper veterinary care, such as vaccinations, and spaying and neutering. We also hand out information at every event and with every adoption about low-cost spay/neuter programs.

The success of our rescue efforts in Hallettsville and around Lavaca County can largely be credited to the involvement of everyday citizens. From local businesses donation supplies to individuals opening their homes as temporary fosters, and everyone who donates to help us continue our efforts.

Despite the tremendous progress made, the work is far from over. Ongoing fundraising efforts are crucial to ensure the continuation of our program and that there are resources available for medical care, especially for injured or ill cats/kittens. Additionally, more foster homes are always needed as kitten seasons bring waves of new litters in need of shelter.

Though challenges remain, the dedication and compassion shown by residents have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless cats & kittens

Donate Today

Donating to rescues like Feline Friends Hallettsville is crucial because it helps provide food, shelter, medical care, and a chance at a better life for animals in need. Rescues rely on donations to continue their work of saving, rehabilitating, and caring for abandoned and abused animals. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference in giving these animals a second chance.

Other Ways to Donate

Monetary donations aren’t the only form of donations that we accept and that help us with our efforts. We also need supplies to continue our mission. Ways that you can donate supplies include meeting one of our volunteers in Hallettsville to drop off donations, as we do not have a facility of our own because we are a foster based rescue. You can arrange to meet with us by messaging us on Facebook or emailing us at FelineFriends361@gmail.com.

Another why you can donate supplies to us is by ordering from our Amazon Wish List. You can do this by following the QR code or click the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/regist.../gl/guest-view/1MWXNOK77OIAZ

The Story of Noodle

On behalf of National Black Cat Day (October 27th)

Noodle first came to us as a stray in the middle of August when she was found by a good Samaritan, injured and alone. With no clue as to where this poor 1 1⁄2 pound injured kitten came from, the good samaritan took her to our local veterinarians, who then reached out to us for help. The wonderful veterinarians examined her, treated her wounds and determined that she was well enough to go to one of our dedicated foster homes to rest and heal from the trauma she had endured. It is believed that she was injured by a car, whether it was being hit by one or falling out of it. This (at the time) 6-week-old kitten came in missing half of her one ear, missing all the fur from her tail with a raw wound running the entire length of it, and limping on one of her back paws which was caused by fractures to a few of her toes.

Noodle went to one of our amazing foster homes, where she was named by our foster with the help of her adorable boys, “Noodle”. Over the past ten weeks she has made an incredible recovery, and all the fur grew back on her tail, but unfortunately still walks with a limp. Noodle’s vet has advised that she may always have a little bit of a limp, but she's otherwise a healthy kitten. Noodle is now a little over 3 1⁄2 months old and looking for her forever home. This fluffy girl is litterbox trained, gets along very well with both cats and children. And when she's not playing with the other felines in her foster home, Noodle can often be found napping in someone's lap or curled up in front of a window. This girl LOVES to sleep and cuddle.

Noodle has been patiently waiting for a family to call her own for over a month now. With her injury to her ear and her limp she isn’t the normal looking kitten that everyone wants. She needs someone who understands that this poor girl has been through a lot in her short little life and that she is still a playful and sweet kitten deserving of a loving home just like any other kitten. And despite missing half of one ear, she is going to grow up to be a gorgeous long haired black cat with a little bit of silver coloration too.

NOODLE HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!!

We have two fundraisers remaining for the end of this year. These fundraisers are very important to help fund our program for the coming year. And contribution to these fundraisers is greatly appreciated.

2025 Calendar Fundraiser

We have been accepting pet photo submission for our 2025 Calendar Photo Contest since the beginning of October, those wishing to submit their pet photos for the contest have paid $5.00 per submission, and their photos have been added to the comments section of our contest’s post. The photo with the most “Likes” will be on the cover of our 2025 Calendar. The contest ended on November 1st and Calendars are in production. The winning photo was announced on our Facebook page and will be on the cover of the calendars.

We will be selling the calendars to help us raise funds for our ongoing efforts, and to help us fund our next fundraiser which is our largest. So please get your photos in and purchase a calendar or two when we start selling them.

Feline Friends Hallettsville Second Annual Christmas Tour of Homes

The Second Annual Christmas Tour of Homes Fundraiser

As mentioned, this fundraiser is our largest fundraiser on the year. In the past this fundraiser has helped us pay off our vet bills owed from the previous year! We hope to have a successful turnout again this year, with two new homes located in town in Hallettsville. These home/business owners have offered to open their beautifully decorated homes to supporters of Feline Friends Hallettsville to enjoy and be inspired by their beautifully decorated homes, ready to celebrate this Christmas season!

There will be light snacks and refreshments for all who come out to support this event, as well as friends and potential to make new ones with plenty of places to sit and talk amongst the decorations. We will also have a silent auction with items at both homes to bid on!

We are seeking donations from local businesses for silent auction items, including goodie baskets full of merchandise, gift cards, or gift certificates for services. We are also looking for corporate sponsors for this fundraiser if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our cause, we can use those funds for supplies for the fundraiser. And all businesses who make donations or sponsorships are welcome to have an area for advertising their businesses during the event.

This year all tickets will be sold in person by Ginger Kirk, Amber Shawgo, and Carmen Appelt. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact them individually or through our Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/FelineFriends361 or email at FelineFriends361@gmail.com.

Stay tuned tickets will be going on sale very soon, watch our Facebook or subscribe to our email list by visiting our website and clicking the “Contact” tab and fill out the subscription form to receive email updates.

We will be accepting cash, check, card in person or payment using the QR code we will provide.

Thank you so much for your generous support of our nonprofit cat rescue! Your kindness helps us provide shelter, medical care, and love to cats and kittens in need. We truly couldn’t do it without you. And we look forward to seeing you at our future fundraisers and adoption events.

Everyone at Feline Friends Hallettsville wishes you and yours a Happy Holidays Season, and a prosperous New Year!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates on available cats and kittens, information updates about fundraisers, adoption events, and our ongoing rescue efforts. And you can contact us through Facebook Messenger, Email:FelineFriends361@gmail.com, or Visiting our Website www.FelineFriendsHallettsville.com